Because you didn't ask for it...my cover of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band song!

As you've probably guessed by the title of my blog (or read the very first post), I'm a big fan of Jim Henson's perennial holiday classic, Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas. It's still as magical to me now as it was when I was a child (this was my favorite, my brother Shea was obsessed with Henson's The Christmas Toy). As much as I loved Emmet, his ma, and the Bob Dylan-esque Percy Woodchuck (his rendition of "Barbecue" is timeless), the real stars of the piece where the ruffian Riverbottom Nightmare Band, the roughest, toughest Bear/Weasel/Lizard/Frog/Fish band anywhere on the planet. Their self-titled psychedelic song in the talent contest was constantly rewound and watched over and over, with every nuance memorized and repeated to family members, friends and acquaintances. Once I finally got Garageband on my MacBook, one of the first things I recorded was an all-a capella version of the song, with me doing several layers of multi-tracked vocals approximating every instrument and lyric of the piece. Granted, I was using a piece-o-shit $20 USB microphone (I've since got the Blue Snowball Mic, which is amazing), but the results are pretty good. I mentioned in my very first blog post that I would post the song, so, late as it may be, here it is! Crank it up, and consider yourself an honorary Riverbottom Nightmare Bander!

RIVERBOTTOM NIGHTMARE BAND SONG (CLICK PLAY!)

I've also included the YouTubed version of outtakes from the television special--it's amazing to see Henson's crew improvising in character. So check em out!

**More then 3 days since my last blog post, so it's time for another Scott Baio photo...this time from the Jugband Christmas Edition. Sorry for the delay--I've been traveling (New Orleans!) and it's my Birthday, so back off!**